Addiction Treatment

What is a substance use disorder?

According to The American Psychiatric Association, substance use disorders are characterized by the uncontrolled use of a substance despite its harmful effects. There are many different categories of substance listed in the DSM-V including, but not limited to:
  • Opioids (such as heroin, oxycontin, morphine, etc.)
  • Stimulants (such as meth, cocaine, crack cocaine, etc.)
  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Hallucinogens (such as LSD, psilocybin, ecstasy, etc.)
  • Inhalants

Substance use disorders may include the following:

  • Increased tolerance for the substance
  • Withdrawal symptoms if the substance is not used
  • High-risk behaviors to obtain and use the substance of choice
  • Relational conflicts
  • Emotional and mental health disturbances 
  • Repeated attempts to control one’s use or quit the use altogether
  • Physical or physiological problems related to use
  • Difficulty fulfilling one’s major roles in life (i.e. parenting, career, etc.)

My Treatment Approach and Philosophy 

While I support abstinence-only approaches and 12-step programs for those who feel it would be most beneficial, my treatment approach is more varied and incorporates evidenced-based modalities as well. I am willing to work with clients from a non-abstinence-only approach. My ultimate goal is to help all clients find healing and live a life that feels in congruence with their value system.
Some of the modalities I typically utilize are:
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Harm Reduction
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • EMDR 
I believe that addictions and substance use disorders are complex mental health disorders that often require an intentional, direct and compassionate approach. There are often co-occurring mental health disorders, trauma, and physical health conditions that can play a role in the development and maintenance of the addiction. While our initial focus may be to reduce the behaviors associated with substance use disorders, the underlying trauma and mental health disorders deserve equally as much attention and treatment to further reduce the need for the use of substances to make one's life feel 'manageable'.